Delphi should stand alone

In anticipation of a public offering, General Motors has begun separating the operating results of its Delphi Automotive Systems from those of vehicle assembly. It appears that GM will spin-off about 20% of that parts business in the not too distant future. Wrong move. Splitting off the entire operation is the only way to make Delphi competitive.

GM's parts group has been undergoing a transformation since the 1980s. Back then. none of the components divisions knew its own costs, let alone if it was competitive with outside suppliers. Lacking the discipline of the marketplace made Delphi lazy; tolerant of aging technology and outmoded plants. and unresponsive to the needs of GM, …

US provides surveillance as Afghans hunt for 870 escaped inmates after daring jailbreak

U.S. and NATO troops aided Afghan forces with reconnaissance in a hunt for about 900 inmates who escaped prison after a sophisticated Taliban assault that even NATO conceded was a success for the militants.

A roadside bomb, meanwhile, killed four U.S. Marines sent to southwestern Afghanistan to help train the country's fledgling police. The deadliest attack on American forces this year came one day after U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates highlighted the fact that more American and allied troops were killed in Afghanistan than in Iraq last month.

Afghanistan's deputy interior minister, Munid Mangal, said about 1,000 prisoners were housed in Kandahar's …

Benson impasse simply stinks If GM Jerry Angelo doesn't take a huge part of the blame here, then why does he even have a job?

It figures, doesn't it? Your world non-champion Bearsare the only team in the NFL without their first-round draft choicesigned.

The draft was months ago, training camp has been going on for 26days, three preseason games remain -- only two after the Bears'Saturday game against the Colts in Indianapolis -- and fourth overallpick Cedric Benson and the Bears might as well be two dogs sniffingeach other's tails for the first time.

Lord, Chicago, how do we luck into this stuff?

Eight losing seasons in the last decade, three head coaches, 15starting quarterbacks, an offense that, rankings-wise, could not getworse and now the holdout of the highest-drafted …

Jesse urges everyone to attend annual conference

Jesse urges everyone to attend annual conference

by Chinta Strausberg

staff reporter

Rev. Jesse L. Jackson Sr. is urging all to attend his annual conference "One Big Tent: Pursuing the American Dream," being held Aug. 8th-12 at the Hyatt Regency Chicago Hotel.

The topics from Jackson's conference range from "HIV in Prison" The Relationship Between Disease Transmission, Corrections and the Community," which will be held at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 8, at 151 E. Wacker Dr., to 1,000 churches and to a forum by Rev. James T. Meeks, executive vice president of PUSH, who will give tips on financial literacy.

On Thursday, August 9, Jackson is holding a session on …

Virgin Atlantic pilots in UK to strike over pay

LONDON (AP) — Britain's main pilot union says Virgin Atlantic pilots have voted in favor of strikes in a dispute over pay.

The British Airline Pilots Association says that of the members who voted, 97 percent of Virgin's pilots called for industrial action for the first time in the airline's history. It said the voting turnout was 94 percent.

Spokesman Richard Toomer …

Al-Maliki bloc says 750,000 Iraqi votes in doubt

Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki's political party claimed Sunday its investigation into the March 7 parliamentary election has thrown into question some 750,000 votes, enough to change the results of the nationwide poll.

The State of Law alliance trailed by just two seats behind former Prime Minister Ayad Allawi's party in the vote, which produced no clear winner because neither side got enough seats to govern alone. Al-Maliki has demanded an official recount as both sides struggle to cobble together a ruling coalition.

"We estimate the volume of vote manipulation is up to 750,000 votes," Hajim al-Hasani, the spokesman of the State of Law …

Savor flavors of Hanukkah

Hanukkah, which continues through Sunday, is a family celebrationbuilt around an event that occurred more than 2,000 years ago.

Foods cooked in oil, such as potato pancakes or jelly doughnuts,are traditional to celebrate the miracle of the oil in the templethat lasted eight days when it should have lasted only one.

The baked version of potato pancakes here still uses oil (not asmuch as when you fry them, though) but does not require as much last-minute attention as the fried pancakes.

Potato pancakes can be served as a meal, but they also make agreat side dish with tender juicy brisket, another favorite Jewishdish. Cheese pastries also are symbolic to honor the …